Waiters turned down a player option worth a little more than $3.2 million to test free agency after he averaged 15.8 points per game, the second-best mark of his career, in his first season with the Heat. Miami rewarded his performance with a considerable four-year, $52 million deal that will ensure “Philly Cheese” will stay in South Beach for the foreseeable future.

The 25-year-old spoke late in the season about his wish to return to Miami, a move that clearly delighted his teammates.

“I am enjoying this thing,” Waiters said. “Whatever it takes [this summer], I just want to be here. What we’re building here, we have a chance to do something special. I want to get it done as quick as possible. Let’s keep this thing rolling by any means. I don’t want to go into free agency with a couple days and make a decision. I don’t want that. I know where I want to be. Let’s just get it done. My mom loves it here. Would be mad at me [if I left]. My son loves it. My family loves it.”

Waiters was limited to 46 games last year because of injury but had a profound impact during the team’s late-season resurgence. He retweeted this message from journalist Fred Katz acknowledging his hard-earned reward for taking a cheap one-year deal last season:

Waiters took a risk, signed a 1+1 last summer for $2.9M and ended up with his big payday. Happy for him. Was always a joy to cover. https://t.co/oDJnghnqVu

About Atreya Verma

Atreya is currently attending Purdue University and loves to watch and follow the NBA. He grew up in Alabama so he loves his Auburn Tigers just as much as he does the Miami Heat. He’s been a huge fan of the team since that magical 2006 title run and still believes Dwyane Wade can drop 50 on any given night. He’s extremely excited to be writing about the team he loves and keeping Heat Nation up to date on all things Heat. You can follow him on Twitter @atreya_verma.